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Oben AC-1441 Aluminum Tripod With Ball Head

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Picking up a budget tripod often means sacrificing portability, but that's not the case with the Oben AC-1441. The tripod weighs just 3.3 pounds and folds to 21.3 inches. But the biggest perk of this Oben is the versatility. The center column is reversible, which means you can use it for macro or low profile shots as low as 8.3 inches. The tripod also has a nice list of features, including a ball head with a quick release plate and five bubble levels. Besides the portability and versatility, the Oben 1441 is easily affordable at under $150.

Anything "budget" is going to make a few sacrifices, and that's no exception with the Oben 1441, though these limitations are minor enough to still make this tripod an excellent option. The maximum 61.6 inch height uses quite a bit of the center column, which sacrifices some stability. On a windy day, you could maintain the stability by not using the center column, but that limits the height to 49.5 inches. The 1441 also has a lower weight capacity than the pricier travel tripods, rated at 11 pounds. For photographers on a budget that travel often and don't use heavy lenses, the Oben AC-1441 is an excellent choice.